Chilean students went on hunger strikes and pot-banging protests in August 2011 to demand a more accessible and affordable university system, higher quality elementary and middle schools, and to show disapproval of President Pinera's government. Negotiations in October 2011 broke down after the education minister attacked a student representative, and the government blamed extremist students for the failed talks. While students did not get all their demands, their protests contributed to President Pinera's approval rating dropping to only 20-30% by January 2012.

1. Chilean Youth Call for Reform

2. Arab Spring
August 2011
• Students went out on hunger strikes, banged
on pots and pans to fulfill their demands,
which were:
• More accessible and affordable university
system.
• Higher quality and equal funding for
elementary and middle schools.
• To show their disapproval of President Pinera’s
government.

3. October 2011
• Negotiations with government representatives
led by Bulnes, the education minster.
• Students withdrew from negotiations due to
Bulnes attack on a students representative.
• Spokesman blamed extremist Students for the
breakdown of negotiations.
• Two month later Blunes was replaced.

4. Outcome
• Students protesters didn’t get all their
demands.
• Students protests influenced the huge drop of
President’s Pinera’s approval rate.
• January 2012, Pinera’s approval rate hovered
around 20- 30%.